Worcester to invest $8M in ‘critical’ streetscape improvements

The city plans to spend more than $8 million over the next two years to spruce up downtown sidewalks and create a more cohesive streetscape for the central business district.

City Manager Michael V. O’Brien said the work — scheduled to begin this spring — is a “critical public investment” intended to build on private investment in the downtown that already exist, is under way or is planned for the future.

He said some of the sidewalks that will be refurbished are more than 60 years old and are well beyond their useful life.

The manager added that other portions of the streetscape to be updated were completed 15 to 20 years ago with high maintenance materials, such as bricks and granite that are now failing.

At the same time, he said, wholesale sections of sidewalks downtown and on Main Street adjacent to those areas are in “declining, poor condition.”

“One does not have to be an expert in urban design to recognize we have a hodge-podge of lighting styles, streetscape treatments, sidewalks types, amenities, signage that does not lend itself whatsoever to a cohesive sense of place and to a walk-able, well-thought-out downtown urban environment,” Mr. O’Brien said.

“Look at any of the great, successful cities and you will find that they have created a sense of place and destination from a cohesive planned streetscape program,” he added. “It does not need costly granite to make this occur. It can be comprehensive, cohesive, and complimentary concrete sidewalks with scoring patterns to make them interesting and eye-catching.”

The project is broken down as follows:

• Streetscape improvements, $2.8 million.

This work will consist of replacing sidewalks with concrete walks at the following locations: Franklin Street (south side), from Main to Portland Street; Front Street (north side), Main to Commercial Street; Commercial Street (west side), Main to Foster Street; and Foster Street (both sides), Commercial to Main Street.

Robert L. Moylan Jr., commissioner of public works and parks, said the work will include the replacement of streetlights with ornamental lights that are consistent with those along Foster Street and Washington Square.

That work is scheduled to begin in May.

• Front of City Hall, $1.04 million.

This will include the replacement of the sidewalk area that abuts City Hall, from the driveway to the underground garage on Front Street to the driveway on Franklin Street, as well as the entire plaza area in front of City Hall.

As part of that work, the bus stop curb cut will be reduced by 15 feet and a new bus shelter with a more historic appearance will be installed.

That phase of the project will begin in April.

The sidewalk on Front Street along the entire length of the Common will be also replaced at an estimated cost of $1 million, provided funding is available.

Mr. Moylan said if funding is not available, that work will be done later.

• Main Street streetscape and signal improvements, $4.5 million.

This involves streetscape and traffic improvements along Main Street, from MLK Boulevard to Myrtle Street.

It will include new sidewalks, nine new traffic signals, streetlights, street resurfacing and other ancillary improvements.

Mr. Moylan said this work, which was made possible by a grant secured by U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, is expected to be put out to bid later this year, with work expected to begin next year.

The commissioner said all work will meet accessibility requirements. In some instances, he said, that will necessitate the installation of a handrail, extending along certain sections of the sidewalks on the north side of Front Street and elsewhere.

Mr. O’Brien said this is a significant undertaking, but will be done in a manner that is manageable.

He said there will be planned public meetings to bring landowners, tenants, and retailers together to talk about the project. He added that the explicit goal is to minimize and mitigate impact during the construction work.

“We will complete the project in its totality, and we will do so with great respect to public and private interests, and we will, once and for all, ensure that it is completed in a fashion that we can maintain and manage going forward,” he said.